2026 Epiphany Devotions
Wednesday, January 21
Psalm 27:1-9
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh—
my adversaries and foes—
they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing I asked of the Lord;
this I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
5 For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8 “Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger,
you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off; do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
“… 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident …”
At times, it feels as if we are in a war zone. With the chaos happening in the streets of our nation and the disfunction among our leaders in Washington, it seems as if fear has become the overriding character of our society. Immigration raids, mass firings, rampant inflation, questionable ethics, and strange and ever-changing policies add an air of uncertainty and frustration to daily life. I cannot read the news without becoming agitated and grieved. It’s crazy.
That is why our trust must remain with the Lord. Only the One who created us can offer light amidst the darkness which seemingly surrounds us daily. Only the God of Life can instill hope amidst the anxiety and frustration in which we are enveloped. Only the Lord can reconcile and make new that which is torn asunder in our world, in our society, and in our lives.
The psalmist reminds us that while the world rages about us, we remain confident, hopeful, and steadfast because the Lord alone is our helper, our shield, and our protector. In God alone is our trust.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the promise of your steadfastness amidst the darkness of our world and lives. Remind me this day to turn to You when I am fearful, anxious, or dismayed. You alone provide light, hope, and strength. Amen.